Model Railroad Museum could become major tourist attraction (Mentor, Ohio)

cleveland.com ^ | 22Jan2011 | Neil Zurcher

[Las Vegas Dave]

The year 2011 may be remembered as the beginning of what could become a major tourist attraction for the city of Mentor.

The Western Reserve Model Railroad Museum is up and running in its new home, the former Tow Motor Plant on Justin Way.

They claim to have the largest model train display in the entire world. There are literally thousands of miniature train cars representing every size imaginable from tiny “Z” gauge to the giant “G” gauge Garden Scale. The trains circle, start and stop on a layout that covers over 19,000 square feet. And admission is free. According to the curator Rick Montgomery, the trains are just the tip of the iceberg. The museum also owns real, full-size railroad cars, including one that was once used by former U. S. President Dwight Eisenhower. “We also have 80 acres adjacent to the museum,” Montgomery said. “That’s plenty of room to grow even larger.”

The hope is to eventually raise the funds to bring all of the museum’s rolling stock to the sprawling property that was once the Tow Motor Plant along U. S. Route 2. In the meantime, more and more rail fans are discovering the miniature train collection. Immediate plans are to increase the model rail displays, enlarge the cafe and gift shop, and include a faux cobblestone street through the museum with storefronts that represent some of the major contributors and sponsors.

The Western Reserve Model Railroad Museum is an all-volunteer organization that continues to operate with grants, gifts and donations. It began operations six years ago in a 4,000 square-foot area in another nearby former industrial setting. The museum steadily grew in size and moved to the larger empty Tow Motor location last year.

Montgomery admits that it is still a work in progress, but right now visitors can see hundreds of model trains, including a single coal train pulling more than 100 coal cars whistling and rolling through a working amusement park, steel plants, and replicas of small railroad towns. This is all in Lilliputian-scale with mountains and rivers. There is also a kiddy train large enough for both kids and adults to ride.

In addition there is a 30,000 square-foot convention center in the complex operated by the Model Train Museum, which attracts various trade shows throughout the year.

The museum is open Saturday through Thursday. It’s located at 7230 Justin Way in Mentor and can be reached at (440) 251-0350. Visit www.wrmrrm.org. Admission to the museum is free but they do accept donations.

[beebuster2000]

ok, i ll bite.

what was President Garfields home like? and who the heck was he anyway?

[Las Vegas Dave]

Steamtown National park in Scranton, Pa. is well worth the visit.
(Mrs. LVD grew up in Taylor, very close to Scranton. We may visit the relatives there this Summer, and of course find time for Steamtown.)

http://www.nps.gov/stea/index.htm

[goat granny]

RFD TV has a program on at 2 in the morning on the weekends that is call I love toy trains it is facinating some of the set ups they show...quite a work of art in many cases..

[Las Vegas Dave]

http://www.nps.gov/jaga/index.htm
and
http://www.midwestguest.com/2010/02/president-garfields-lawnfield-home-drew-the-nation-to-mentor-ohio.html

[beebuster2000]

just read up on garfield. didnt know he had been assassinated. when you read about it and the guy who did it, its identical to the recent arizona tragedy.

also hadnt realized that four US Presidents have been assassinated. thats a lot.

[Richard Kimball]

I probably didn't phrase well. I have no problem with people figuring out a way to make money from doing something they love. In fact, I think the reason for the success of Apple and the resurgence of Ford is precisely because the people running the place want to make products they love.

I also understand that a lot of people like model railroads. My observation was simply that I don't see this particular venture as being headed for success. For the doors to stay open, I think they'll have to have a funding source besides simply being a model railroad museum.

If they can become THE model railroad place, and start selling model railroad kits, then parlay that success into becoming the place where people go online to buy model railroad kits, develop partnerships for exclusive products for model train enthusiasts, and develop a brand name like Madame Alexander has with collectable dolls, they could be onto something.

As far as being a place strictly for someone to go and look at a model train, it would be the kind of place that someone might drop by if they're in the area. It does not have the potential to become a place where people will actually plan a long trip to see it.

[creeping death]

If someone starts a RR ping list, please add me. If I ever find myself in that area, it’s a definite stop.

[ETL]

If they can become THE model railroad place, and start selling model railroad kits, then parlay that success into becoming the place where people go online to buy model railroad kits, develop partnerships for exclusive products for model train enthusiasts...

Thanks for clarifying. And I agree with you on the business angle of expanding to include these and other services. I've always dreamed of owning a hobby shop. :)

[Kirkwood]

There is a model railroad culture that you are obviously not aware of. Those who are into MRR will consider this a major attraction within their hobby and will specifically look for such places when making travel plans. Also these places are usually self-supporting on membership dues. They are either open to the public or the entrance fee is something like $5 to look around as long as you want.

[Kirkwood]

I’ll join a RR ping list too if there is one.

http://www.greatesthobby.com/

[SoCal Pubbie]

Naw, THIS is the every ten year old boy’s dream basement. The ten year old boy who grew up to afford it is named Rod Stewart:

http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/toys-in-the-attic-rod-stewart/

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Your dad would never let you play with it.

[GreenLanternCorps]

Drool...

I’m an armchair model railroader from way back. Once I free a portion of our basement, I plan on a small HO layout for me and my kids to work on.

These types of operations can work. Some G-Scalers in Cincinnati have this place running at what appears to be a profit:

http://www.entertrainmentjunction.com/

The Mentor group has a web page here:

http://www.wrmrrm.org/

[Las Vegas Dave]

If you ever get to Cleveland there are several museums to see, two of my favorites are Crawford Auto Aviation museum and Cleveland art museum, (walking distance from each other).

http://www.wrhs.org/index.php/crawford

and

http://www.clevelandart.org/

[ETL]

Are those Hot Wheel cars in that last photo?

Definitely not Hot Wheels. Depending on the scale, a few could be Matchbox I suppose.

[A'elian' nation]

They got a ways to go. World’s largest model train setup is in Hamburg, Germany. I was totally enthralled - spent 8hrs one day and 10hours another day - and the place is still growing. It is beautifully constructed with trains going through 3 stories of the Alps and alpine villages and major cities.

Ohio’s setup only has 1800 sq meters. Miniature Wonderland in Hamburg has 6400 sq meters and will have 10,000 sq meters when completed.

Fascinating facts here:

http://www.miniatur-wunderland.com/exhibit/wunderland/wunderland-facts/

They have a great dvd of the place if you can’t get over there. Great online site if you’re a miniature railroader.

[Sigurdrifta]

There is another nice model railroad place in San Diego (Balboa Park). (I write this as I take a break from working on my N-scale.)

[BfloGuy]

OTOH, it’s a local article, and the goal is to give free advertising to spur local businesses and boost tourism

As long as there's no gov't money put into it, I'm all for it -- small towns are desperately searching for anything that will bring in some money.

It's the moment when some politician starts sending in tax dollars amidst claims that it will "create jobs" that loses me.

[texmexis best]

I think you will be surprised with the traffic. I will certainly spend a day and a healthy amount of cash if I get anywhere near it.

Or I may just make a trip for laughs to see it.

And I am not a train nut. But I do like them.

[texmexis best]

I wonder how many of the engines and cars are scratch built?

These could very well be “art on rails”.